How to Load a Shotgun

Co-authored by Dr. Jeffrey S. Harmon

Last Updated: February 28, 2024 Fact Checked

Shotguns are popular around the world for hunting, shooting sports and home defense. They fire shells of metal shot that are usually loaded one at a time, instead of in a clip. While shotgun technology has advanced over the years, loading most shotguns is still a simple task.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Loading a Pump-Action Shotgun

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This is always the first step when loading or handling any gun. Consult your weapon's instruction manual to locate the safety feature.^{[1]
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Common shotgun sizes are 10, 12, 16, 20, .410 bore, and 28. Shotshell of one gauge may be fired in a shotgun of another gauge, but doing so requires a special tube. Otherwise it is best to just select the proper sized ammo for your weapon.^{[2]
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You can also secure the stock under your arm with the gun turned sideways. Make sure that the trigger and trigger guard are positioned on the side of the shotgun facing away from you.^{[3]
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The "business end" of the shell should be pointing toward the end of the gun barrel. The business end is the end of the shell that the shot comes out of and is opposite the metal capped end of the shell where the explosive charge is housed.^{[4]
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When it clicks, the rim of the shell should have passed the magazine catch.^{[5]
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You can tell the tube is full when you attempt to load a shell but it won't go in.^{[6]
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Hold in the action release button and pump the slide backwards and then forwards with a reasonable amount of force to load the chamber. This will strip a shell from the magazine and load it into firing position. The shotgun is now ready to fire.^{[7]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Loading a Break-Action Shotgun

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Always treat a gun as though it were loaded, even if you know it isn't.^{[8]
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Find and engage the barrel breach lever, latch or button. This will usually be on the right side of the gun, where the barrel meets the stock.^{[9]
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- Unlike a pump-action shotgun, a break action has no magazine tube to load several shells at a time into. Instead, the gun breaks open to allow you to load a shell directly into the chamber of your barrel (or barrels). This means your gun needs to be reloaded after every shot, or every two shots if you have a double-barreled shotgun.
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Be careful: these may be hot if the gun was recently fired. Try not to let your hand touch the metal of the barrel.^{[11]
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The business-end of the shell should slide into the barrel.^{[12]
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Your gun is now loaded and ready to fire.^{[13]
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Tips

Semi-automatic shotguns load in basically the same manner as pump shotguns, consult your owners manual if you think your semi-auto may load differently.

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Newer shotguns may have a surprisingly strong magazine spring, and may demand a little more force to get the shell in past the magazine catch.

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Using the pad of the thumb allows more leverage to push the shells into the magazine tube than a finger.

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Warnings

Never attempt to force a shotshell into the magazine with any object such as a screwdriver. You could accidentally set off the shell, seriously injuring yourself or others.

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Guns are not toys! Firearms should be treated with respect and never handled by children without adult supervision.

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Never attempt to 'mismatch' firearms and ammunition, the round may fit in the chamber, but it could be of a considerably higher power than your gun is designed to handle. Your gun could explode and harm or kill you or other bystanders.

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